NEW Wales kids on the block Luke Charteris and Ryan Jones could have been partners in the same Newport Gwent Dragons team.

The big young forwards were yesterday called into the Wales squad for the November internationals, coach Mike Ruddock saying they both had the potential to gain their first caps during the series.

Charteris, a 21-year-old giant lock at 6ft 9in, 18st 10lb, has yet to start a game for the Dragons having made 10 appearances as a replacement last season.

Jones could well have been with him at Rodney Parade either at lock, where he started his career, or in the back row where he has now settled with Neath-Swansea Ospreys.

For Jones is Newport-born, his parents live at High Cross, and he played for Newport up to under-21 level. However he was up against stiff competition to break into the senior side and Ian McIntosh, coach at the time, told him he couldn't give him a starting place.

That was understandable given the locks were Simon Raiwalui, Ian Gough and Mike Voyle, so Jones moved on to UWIC and then joined Bridgend.

"They were all superb players and at 18 I was never going to beat them for a place," he said.

He was a victim of the Celtic Warriors cull this year, but found a place with the Ospreys and has been in storming form.

Charteris, on the other hand, has settled at a halfway house in Rodney Parade, coming from Carmarthenshire and studying for a sports science degree at Bath University.

He has been groomed as a future international, progressing through the Wales Under-21 ranks, and would have gone on the full summer tour but was told to stay behind to bulk up.

"I've put half a stone of solid muscle on, it's been tough but I've put a lot of work in," he said. "First I have to get a place in the regional side which won't be easy as there are some excellent second rows with the Dragons and the Newport club side."

Jones, with a sports science degree, says he was lucky after the Warriors demise. "I was given an opportunity which I want to repay. Things are going well," he said.